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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Day Trips,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Award-Winning Treno Pizza Bar Features Fantastic Pig Roast in Westmont, NJ

    October 2, 2018 /

    Eye-catching sign’s arrow with nostalgic design directs me in can’t-miss fashion. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden There will be pig. Pork talk. Porcine photos. After all, it was a pig roast I’d attended. Just sayin’ because I’d shown a friend my snap of the roasted pig, and her less than enthusiastic reaction made me realize there may be others similarly sensitive or put off, and who don’t realize (despite the telling title) that this review is about a pig roast. Okay then: disclaimer- and spoiler alert stated right off the bat, I can proceed. On an August evening, I nipped over the Ben Franklin Bridge and made my way to…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Escape to Foodie Paradise at Bucks County Restaurant Week in Washington House Hotel

    June 6, 2018

    Build a Glamping Dome in Your Backyard with Phoenix Domes

    July 8, 2024

    Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party

    September 22, 2025
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Deco on the Delaware: Picnic in Roaring 20’s Fashion at Glen Foerd Mansion in Philadelphia, PA

    September 25, 2018 /

    Picture-perfect and pastoral picnic. I love her and that’s the beginning and end of everything. – F. Scott Fitzgerald Story, photos by Sharon Kozden When finding out about 20’s themed party at the Glen Foerd estate and mansion along the Delaware River, and that the event’s theme was “Deco on the Delaware,” my first thought was, “What to wear?” An English major, my thoughts quickly turned “all things Gatsby,” specifically the two flawed characters, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. I’d read somewhere that F. Scott- and  Zelda Fitzgerald were known as the Jazz Age’s “Golden Couple”. I located the perfect flapper dress at Phoenixville-based LuLu Boutique & Gifterie. It was…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Escape to a Fairytale Fever Dreamscape at Il Falconiere in Cortona, Tuscany Italy

    June 1, 2026

    Mixing and Mingling at the Philadelphia Wine and Cocktail Festival at Sugarhouse Casino

    September 15, 2017

    Tasty Wings, Burgers and Beer at P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant in Oaks, PA

    June 21, 2018
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Xolo Tacos in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Dishes Out Delicious Mexican Food

    September 20, 2018 /

    Double-duty welcome! Story, photos by Sharon Kozden I had a hankering recently for something with a bit of spice and sizzle. I found my hanker-worthy sizzler of a dinner with a platter of fajitas at Xolo Tacos, billed as a Taqueria and Tequila Bar in beautiful Bryn Mawr, PA. Did I mention it was my birthday dinner? I’m one of those birthday- and anniversary-specific divas, who believes in maximizing celebratory antics. And if the day falls on a Friday or a Monday, I’m in heaven, anticipating a three day- and night-long event. I know someone who refers to her special day as “Birthday Month.” Girlfriend’s got me beat. Naturally, I…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Style With A Purpose – Mim and Ray Handbags Featured at Joan Shepp Philadelphia

    December 8, 2017

    Twinkle, Twinkle: Era Contemporary Showcases Stargarden Exhibit at Da Vinci Art Alliance

    October 25, 2017

    Eighth Annual Audi Feastival Celebrates FringeArts 21st Birthday

    December 6, 2017
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Round of Applause for Bravo! Cucina Italiania in Lehigh Valley Mall, Pennsylvania

    September 19, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Sharon Kozden While June 6th is known far and wide as the anniversary of 1944’s “D-Day Invasion,” it’s overshadowed each year in my family by the occasion of my mother’s birthday. She turned 91 this year (her longevity secret’s a secret!), and I was pleased that she could accompany me to Bravo! Cucina Italiana for a celebratory dinner. The day was a hot one. Consequently, I was concerned the heat would cause appetite suppression, resulting in side-salads-as-entrée orders rather than the anticipated chow-down with gusto. But no worries necessary as, once inside, the cool air hit and the foodie fest was on! Bravo! Cucina Italiana is a…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Celebrating the Kentucky Derby, West Laurel Hill Style

    June 7, 2017

    Lisbon, Portugal is the ‘Bestest’ Hip, Hilly, Coastal Capital City in Europe

    January 2, 2019

    Explore the World’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls by Road Trip

    June 4, 2024
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage

    Membership Not Required at Springfield Country Club’s Tavola Restaurant

    September 12, 2018 /

    Enjoy the country club’s 6,000 square foot-expansion (all outdoors!) of Tavola. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” – James Beard Within the past year, I’ve become a country mouse, who doesn’t much get out and about to country clubs. I’m so country, in fact, that local honey is produced by honeybees on the property where I live. Hens lay eggs. Doves coo. Woodpeckers peck. Trees hang low with fruit. All number of critter sounds abound, while cars pass infrequently along a quiet, solitary road. I even have a screen door that can slam. Still, when my editor offers an assignment, I’m at the…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Crawlin’ with the Undead in Northern Libertie’s Zombie Invasion

    November 8, 2017

    Take a Walking, Eating and Drinking Chew Philly Tour Through Chestnut Hill

    November 30, 2017

    Spend 24 Hours in the Mountain Town of Norcia, Umbria in Italy

    May 25, 2026
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Lifestyle

    Philadelphia’s 2018 Flower Show Just Adds Water

    August 16, 2018 /

    “Flowers rewrite soil, water and sunshine into petal’d poetry – Terri Guillemets Story, photos by Sharon Kozden There’s just something so wrong about attending the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 2nd, while the single most bad-ass storm of winter, 2018 had its ‘old man’ expressing rage like rarely before. A 30-year resident of Philadelphia stated it was the worst he’d seen in his entire time there. And that’s all I’m going to say about it because, let’s face it, we none of us want to recall its downright meanness. We’d much rather enter the Pennsylvania Convention Center and meander about, while waxing hopeful about spring being eminent. Agreed? Seems this…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    WXPN’s Xponential Music Festival is Summer Staple in Camden, New Jersey

    May 2, 2019

    Explore Retro El Cortez Hotel and Casino on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada

    February 24, 2025

    Philadelphia Flower Show Blooms Outdoors for 2021 Season

    February 15, 2021
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    JDRF Celebrates Hope with One Promise Gala at Loews Philadelphia

    August 1, 2018 /

    Tres elegant and sparkling program design. “Diabetes is a lousy, lousy disease.” – Elaine Stritch Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Diabetes IS a “lousy, lousy” disease. In fact, I might add a third “lousy” to that statement to further drive home the message and truth. I once recall thinking – if I had to endure and manage a physical-health issue – type 1 diabetes is the single most awful disease that I’d never want to have. So many checks and balances to regulate insulin levels … a seemingly all-consuming daily, no let-up effort. It’s heartbreaking to imagine little ones in particular having to self-monitor and perform such necessary measures to…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Seven Unusual Travel Superstitions from Around the World

    September 14, 2026

    Visit Philly’s Overnight Hotel Packages Offer Sizzlin’ Stay & Play Deals

    August 13, 2019

    Barnes Foundation Art Ball Showcases French Artist Suzanne Valadon

    April 4, 2022
  • Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Fox 29’s Karen Hepp’s Tasty Talks Rocks at Yangming in Bryn Mawr, PA

    July 17, 2018 /

    Karen Hepp is on point with Yangming owner Michael Wei.  Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.”  -Barbara Bush “What preys on my mind is simply this one question: what am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way?”  – Vincent van Gogh Tasty Talks. Sounds, well, tasty. Tasty and talk-y. But what, really, is a Tasty Talk? I would soon find out…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Explore Spiritually Uplifting Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona

    June 14, 2018

    Amina Slays Southern Cuisine with African Influences in Old City, Philadelphia

    August 12, 2024

    Eat and Drink Your Face Off in San Antonio, Texas While Exploring the City

    July 20, 2017
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Tempting Tastes at 19 Bella Tapas Restaurant in Skippack Village, PA

    July 5, 2018 /

    Readers, get thee to Cedars, Pa. “Go out and see your friends and eat tapas and drink red wine and be in a beautiful place.” – Anthony Bourdain Story, photos by Sharon Kozden One doesn’t have to head to Spain for a first-rate, authentic tapas experience. Cedars, PA  – just outside quaint Skippack Village – will do just fine. Grant Langdon Brown, owner and head chef at 19 Bella, has a top tapas spot worth the travel involved to enjoy extraordinary meals. I envy the locals’ proximity. I arrived one chilly evening to discover an understated, functional exterior with patio I imagine bustles with activity during more temperate climes. The contrast between outward appearance and color-blazing interior was a fun surprise.…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    November 30, 2017
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    Rent a Car and Road Trip through Northwest Kansas

    January 15, 2024

    Making Weekend Waves at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey

    November 20, 2019
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Philly’s Landmark Americana Tap and Grill Delivers Good Grub

    July 4, 2018 /

    Façade of Landmark Americana Tap & Grill’s City Line locale in the heart of St. Joseph’s University campus. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden When life gives you lemons, add drinks, wings and ribs!  – In part, me. Just sayin’ before you read on … with apologies to Clement C. Moore ‘Twas the week before Super Bowl LII, when all through Landmark Americana Tap & Grill’s City Line location, all the sports’ fans were stoked and rocking the house. The wings were outstanding, all chicken, little bone, and my ten were divided between sauces mild with spice bite and honey barbeque sweet. The wings were all nestled, snug in their sauce, while not overly so…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    How The Philadelphia Eagles Maintain The Turf at Lincoln Financial Field

    September 6, 2017

    Ride in Style with Aall In Limo’s Mercedes Benz to Temecula Wineries in California

    January 30, 2019

    EXCLUSIVE: Vanderpump Rules stars Jax Taylor and Tom Sandoval talk Lisa Vanderpump, Scheana’s Wedding Dress and the up coming “Brutal” Reunion

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